| Isabella Armenian: Զապել | |
| Succession: | Queen of Armenian Cilicia |
| Reign: | 1219 – 1252 |
| Coronation: | 14 May 1226 |
| Predecessor: | Leo I |
| Successor: | Hethum I |
| Regent: | Adam of Baghras Constantine of Barbaron |
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| Issue-Pipe: | among others... |
| House: | Roupenians |
| Father: | Leo I, King of Armenia |
| Mother: | Sybilla of Cyprus |
| Birth Date: | 27 January 1216/ 25 January 1217 |
| Birth Place: | (unknown) |
| Death Date: | 23 January 1252 |
| Death Place: | Ked |
| Place Of Burial: | Monastery of Trazarg |
| Religion: | Armenian Apostolic |
| Reg-Type1: | Co-rulers |
Isabella (hy|Զապել; 27 January 1216/ 25 January 1217 – 23 January 1252), also Isabel or Zabel, was queen regnant of Armenian Cilicia from 1219 until her death in 1252.
She was proclaimed queen.[1] [2] After he was assassinated, Constantine of Baberon (of the Hethumid family) was nominated as guardian.[2] At this juncture, Raymond-Roupen, grandson of Roupen III (the elder brother of Isabella’s father, King Leo I), attempted to claim the throne of Cilicia for himself, but he was defeated, captured, and executed.[2]
He arranged a marriage between the young princess and Philip,[2] His father was Bohemond IV.[3] Philip, however, offended the Armenians’ sensibilities, and even despoiled the royal palace, sending the royal crown to Antioch; therefore, he was confined in a prison in Sis (now Kozan in Turkey), where he died, presumably poisoned.[2]
Isabella was the only child of King Leo I by his second wife, Sybilla of Cyprus. She was betrothed to Andrew, but the betrothal did not occur.[4]
King Leo I died on May, 1219. Raymond-Roupen believed he should become the ruler.[5] John of Brienne felt that a member of his family should succeed.[1]
Her wedding to Philip occurred during 1222.[5]
The marriage was legalized by Rome in 1237.
There is evidence that Isabella shared a degree of royal power, for we learn from several sources that she co-signed with her husband an official deed transferring to the Knights of the Teutonic Order the strategic castle and town of Haronie.[6]
She was buried in the monastery of Trazarg.